MARGAO: The All-Goa Toddy Tappers Association has introduced changes in the process of obtaining caste certificates, accompanied by stricter penalties for falsification. This move comes as a response to past controversies and allegations of fake caste certificates being issued.
The decisions were made during a Committee body meeting of the Association held on Saturday. Addressing the media after the meeting, Association President Francisco Fernandes explained that the modifications pertain to the application form for becoming a member of the Association and the related affidavit.
To receive a caste certificate from the Association, applicants must be members of the Association and belong to the toddy tapper community. The new clauses in the affidavit and application form emphasise the consequences of misrepresentation, fabrication of documents, or providing false information.
Fernandes stated that if a complaint is filed regarding a caste certificate issued based on false information, the Association’s committee will conduct an inquiry. If the allegations are substantiated, the caste certificate will be revoked, and a police complaint will be filed under the IPC, potentially leading to a seven-year imprisonment sentence.
Fernandes added that the committee plans to hold conferences with other OBC communities in Goa and with ST/SC castes to understand their operations better and advocate for a special percentage of reservation for jobs and seats in professional colleges and government educational institutions.
Additionally, the committee will work towards obtaining a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Coconut Feni.
